Norichika Aoki, who became a free agent after he was released by the New York Mets in late October, has agreed to return to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows where he started his professional career, a source said Tuesday.

According to the source, the 36-year-old outfielder will sign a three-year deal worth ¥1 billion (about $9.19 million) and join his new teammates at the club's spring training site in Okinawa in the coming weeks.

Aoki was with the Mets for just two months, the journeyman having started his major league career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012, before playing for six MLB teams.

"We have high expectations of him overall," Yakult manager Junji Ogawa said.